January 13, 2017 - Go John/Overton Trail Hike - Cave Creek Regional Park

As we drove to the Cave Creek Park we noticed a horse corral so we were not surprised to see that this trail was also used for trail rides. The signs indicated at it was also open to bicycles and dogs.

Our hike started on the east side of the visitor's center where the whole group walked toward the upper parking area on the Overton trail.

The longer hike broke off from the group by crossing the parking lot to the Go John Trail to the east. The trail is flat at the beginning and starts to climb, then the trail enters a low area or draw which is the Apache Wash. The trail then ventures upward to a saddle. We followed the trail as it climbs up to areas of jutting rock formations and then lead us to another saddle toward views of other mountains and residential areas. The trail then winds down into a draw where paloverde trees are plentiful. We went right onto Overton Trail which climbs to a saddle. The scenery changes it opens up and we saw our trail as it zig-zags back and forth across the landscape. We hiked along a ridge where there are views of tabletop vistas in the distance. This trail leads down into a stream bed where the area remains moist. We climb again and walk along a mountain ridge. As we wind our way back to the parking lot at the visitor’s center where the slopes are covered with brittlebush.

The shorter hike went left and onto the Go John Trail going clockwise. See the map.

  

  
  
 

  

   

 

  

The long trail hikers

  

 

 

Directions:

Take I-10 north. In 33 mi. take exit 161, 202 loop east, then 4.1 mi. to exit 50A 101 north. Continue north for  27.3 mi. to exit 34, Scottsdale Rd. Continue north on Scottsdale Rd. 9.8 mi, then go left onto Carefree Highway.  Follow this Hwy 4.9 mi. to 32nd street and turn right. Proceed on this road to the Cave Creek Regional Park entrance and pay the $6.00 per vehicle entrance fee. Proceed to the visitor’s center and park in the SW corner of the lot. We start the hike from the back of the visitor’s center.

     

Longer hike:  Go John & Overton trails loop,  C+,  6.1 mi.

Short hike:  Shortcut Go John & Overton trails lollypop loop,   C-,  5 mi.

82 mi.      Suggest reimburse driver $10.00 each.

              

Facilities at trailhead: Visitor’s Center, restrooms, water, ample parking